Waiting Staff Resume Keywords for ATS
ATS systems for Waiting Staff roles prioritise food service experience, customer interaction terminology, and health & safety compliance keywords. Employers filter for specific service styles (fine dining, casual, banqueting), POS system familiarity, and evidence of upselling or customer satisfaction metrics.
ATS keywords for a Waiting Staff Resume
Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.
Core skills
Tools & software
Soft skills
Certifications & qualifications
How to get a Waiting Staff Resume past the ATS
- Include specific service environments you've worked in (fine dining, gastro pub, hotel restaurant, banqueting) as these are common search filters
- List EPOS or reservation systems by exact name rather than generic terms like 'till systems' to match technical requirements
- Use both 'waiting staff' and 'waiter/waitress' or 'server' in your CV as different employers use different terminology
- Mention covers served per shift or section size (e.g., '12-table section') to demonstrate capacity and experience level
- Reference food hygiene certification with the exact level (Level 2) and awarding body if possible, as this is often a mandatory requirement
- Include allergen knowledge explicitly, as this has become a critical compliance keyword since the 2014 EU Food Information Regulation
Before & after: Waiting Staff Resume bullets
Before: Served customers in a busy restaurant
After: Delivered table service to 80+ covers per shift in a fast-paced brasserie environment, maintaining 95% customer satisfaction scores
Before: Took orders and handled payments
After: Processed orders via Lightspeed EPOS system and handled cash/card transactions, achieving zero till discrepancies over 6-month period
Before: Helped increase sales by recommending dishes
After: Increased average spend per head by 18% through targeted upselling of wine pairings and premium menu items, applying detailed menu knowledge
Free Waiting Staff Resume template
Every keyword on this page, already in the section a parser expects to find it in. Fill in the bracketed fields and you have a Resume an ATS can read.
Waiting Staff Resume keywords — FAQ
What keywords should a Waiting Staff put on their Resume?
A Waiting Staff Resume should include core skills such as Table service, Food and beverage service, Order taking, Menu knowledge, Upselling, Cash handling, and name specific tools like EPOS systems, Chip and PIN terminals, Reservation systems, OpenTable, Lightspeed. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.
How do I make my Waiting Staff Resume ATS-friendly?
Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Include specific service environments you've worked in (fine dining, gastro pub, hotel restaurant, banqueting) as these are common search filters
What skills do employers look for in a Waiting Staff?
Beyond technical skills, employers screen for Customer service, Communication skills, Teamwork, Attention to detail. Relevant qualifications include Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate, Personal Licence (Licensing Act 2003), Allergen Training Certificate.
